Ceylon postage stamp year 1861 QV 2d green watermark Star

Ceylon postage stamp year 1861 QV 2d green watermark Star wmk p14 The stamp you are referencing is a classic of British Commonwealth philately. In 1861, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) transitioned from its initial imperforate issues to perforated stamps, retaining the beautiful line-engraved profile portrait of a young Queen Victoria by Perkins, Bacon & Co. Because multiple perforating machines and methods were used between 1861 and 1864, identifying the exact catalog number for a 2d Green with the Large Star watermark depends heavily on evaluating the condition of the perforation teeth. Catalog Reference & Identification The 1861 2d green on Large Star watermark paper generally falls into two distinct categories based on how cleanly the perforations were cut: 1. Clean-Cut Perforations (1861) Perforation: 14 to 15½ (Cleanly punched holes with distinct paper circles completely removed) Stanley Gibbons: SG 20 (Green) or SG 20a (Deep Green) Scott Catalog: Scott 19 Note: These are scarcer than the rough-perf versions because the perforating machine pins were sharp and working optimally for only a short period. 2. Rough Perforations (1861–1864) Perforation: 14 to 15½ (Rough, ragged, or jagged edges where the paper fibres torn rather than cleanly punched) Stanley Gibbons: SG 28 (Green) or SG 29 (Yellowish Green) Scott Catalog: Scott 28 Note: This is the most common variety encountered for this specific issue. Technical Specifications AttributeDetailsCountryCeylon (British Colony)Year of Issue1861Denomination2 Pence (2d)PrinterPerkins, Bacon & Co.Printing MethodLine-engraved (Intaglio)WatermarkLarge Star (Watermark 6 in standard catalogs)Paper TypeWhite wove paper (Earlier 1857 imperf versions sometimes show a slight blueing)